Mrs. Adams was known to many in Delavan where she spent the summer months at The Highland, Delavan Lake. She is survived by one daughter, Mrs. J.P. Allyn of this city, one son, William Landis of St. Paul, and two grandchildren, Josephine Allyn and Dorothy Landis [ spelled by Mr. Yadon "Dorothy" rather than "Dorathy"]

[Jim Downey (in April 2005) names three lost infants as: Samuel Dodge Cox, Albert Garret Cox, and Oscar. Mary "Dodge" was Emeline's mother-in-law].

The deceased was born at Fishkill on the Hudson, April 4th, 1829. The family afterwards removed to Norfolk, Virginia, where he began his studies to prepare for the place of engineer in the navy. He entered the service at the age of 18 and rapidly rose through the various grades to the rank of Chief Engineer. In this service, he visited all the leading ports and countries of the world. His knowledge of the various countries, their people and resources was varied, accurate and extensive, and we have never met a man more entertaining and instructive in conversation. He was a gentleman of the highest culture and the most pleasing manners and was fitted to adorn the most cultivated society. He was stationed at South American ports when the war broke out when he was called back and entered active service in the navy during the rebellion. He was stationed at Sitka, Alaska, when it was purchased and annexed to the United States. His wife died in Asia, about 10 years ago, leaving a daughter, Charlotta (spelled as here, not "Charlotte"), then about three years of age.

Since the war he was stationed much of the time at Mare's Island Navy Yard near San Francisco. He came here to visit his sister last fall in feeble health and had been slowly declining until Wednesday morning just as the sun was rising in the east he passed suddenly and peacefully away. There were in all of the family, three sons and three daughters. G.B. Davids, of Baltimore, a noted civil engineer and draughtsman who died suddenly in Baltimore about two years ago. Oscar, chief engineer in the Navy died at Norfolk several years since.

Phoebe Ann, wife of Dr. V. Vermilye, of this city died about 12 years since. Mrs. Henrietta Andrews who died suddenly while visiting her brothers in Baltimore, about two years ago.

HENRY STEPHEN DAVIDS was born in Dutchess County, New York, April 4th, 1838.
His record of service is as follows:
He entered the U.S. Navy from Virginia as Third Assistant Engineer August 26, 1859, and served on board the "Water Witch", Gulf Squadron, October, 1859, to April, 1860; and on the "Dakotah", East India Squadron, until January, 1852. He was promoted to Second Assistant Engineer January 6, 1862, and served on the "San Jacinto", North Atlantic and Gulf Squadrons until October, 1863. Promoted to First Assistant Engineer October 11, 1863, and placed on special duty in New York City until March, 1864. Served on board the "Mohican", North Atlantic Squadron, until November, 1865. On special duty at Boston until August, 1866. On board "Pensacola" during the voyage to the Pacific, and until September, 1867. On board the "Ossippee", Pacific Squadron, until June, 1869. Special duty at Mare Island, Cal., until promotion to Chief Engineer March 5, 1871. On leave of absence until October, 1871. On board "Saranac", Pacific Squadron, until December, 1874. Special Duty at Mare Island, Cal., until July, 1877. On board the "Monongahela", East India Squadron, until August, 1879. Waiting orders until September, 1881. Rendevous duty at San Francisco until April, 1882. Special duty at Mare Island until December, 1882. On sick leave until June 7, 1884, when he was retired from active service on account of incapacity, resulting from long and faithful service.

During the War of the Rebellion he participated in the second action with the rebel iron-clad "Merrimac"; was at capture of Fort Fisher and Wilmington, N.C.; took part in desultory fighting on the James and Savannah rivers, at Charleston, S.C., and Beaufort, N.C.; and was engaged in blockade duty off various ports, during which he assisted in the capturee of three prizes.

During an honorable career of twenty-six years on the active list in the Navy, he spent nearly thirteen years in sea service, nearly nine years on shore duty, and was unemployed about four years.

He was elected a companion of the First Class of this Commandery, No. 199, August 8, 1883. Insignia No. 2856.

While the health of our deceased Companion has not been very good for some time past, yet his death was quite sudden and unexpected, and casts a gloom over the Commandery.

We mourn the death of Companion DAVIDS, and regret that an honorable life has been brought to a close; and to his relatives we extend the right hand of sympathy.

In 1833 Mr. Adams was married to Lydia A. Phelps, by whom he had eight sons, who grew to manhood, and one daughter, who died in infancy. Mrs. Adams died at Sandwich, December 14, 1867, mourned by a whole community, for none knew her but to love her. In her, the poor and sick lost their best friend. Six of the sons are living and all engaged actively in manufacturing enterprises, to which they had been trained by their father; J. Phelps and Henry A., as Secretary and Superintendent, respectively, of the Sandwich Manufacturing Co.; J. Q. and H. R. in connection with the Marseilles Manufacturing Co., and W. G. and Charles H., conducting the E. H. Pease Manufacturing Co., at Racine, WI. Of the two other sons, Darius, the oldest, died in April 1872, at Sandwich; Oliver R. at Marseilles, in December 1891.

Mr. Adams was a second time married January 13, 1809 [ the date "1809" is likely an error, perhaps corrected to "1869"] to Mrs. L. M. Mosher, who died at Sandwich, April 13, 1889. We republish from the Argus of 1879, the biography of Mr. Adams, with some slight additions.

Hon. Augustus Adams was one of our best known and most respected citizens. He was born in Genoa, Cayuga County, NY, May 10, 1806. His father at that time was engaged in an extensive business, owning and cultivating over 700 acres of land, besides which, he was an extensive merchant and stock dealer, having a capacity for management and a tireless energy which led him constantly to reach into larger operations. The retaliatory measures of congress, known as the embargo, restricting trade with foreign ports, and passed in 1796 and 1806, found Mr. Adams managing these complicated interests to which the immediate paralysis of trade proved disastrous, and as troubles seldom come unattended by kindred spirits, death entered the household, carrying off its head, leaving a large family, in which was the subject of this article, then eleven years of age. After the death of his father, he went, in the spring of 1818, to live with a brother-in-law in Geauga County, OH, then attracting a good many settlers, and being the western limit of immigration. That was a heavily timbered country, and the five and a half years he spent there, he was engaged in the heavy labor of clearing up a farm. Mr. Adams said, after the lapse of many years, the recollection even of that work gave him a chronic backache, as five and a half years of such work would be likely to do to the labor loving boys of Sandwich.

In the fall of 1824, he returned to his native town in New York state, and for the ensuing five years was engaged in working on a farm and teaching school. When 23 years of age, he commenced business for himself, and with a partner built an iron foundry, and machine shop in Chemung County, NY, about ten miles north of Elmira, on the line of the Chemung Canal, where he remained eight years, during which time that canal was constructed. About that time the "western fever" was raging extensively in that section, and he, with others suffered under a heavy attack of it. Some of his friends having been carried off with it to Aurora, and some to Elgin, he also set out for the Fox River country in the fall of 1838, traveling the whole distance with a horse and buggy, the journey occupying six weeks, and through several severe snow storms, arriving at Aurora on December 13. After spending a few days with his friends there, he went to Elgin to visit his friend, T. J. Gifford, Esq., who was the first to discover the beauties and advantages of that location and who preempted it and laid out the town which has since become famous. Here he decided to make his home and removed with his family in the fall of 1840.

In the summer of 1841, in company with Mr. James T. Gifford, he built a small iron foundry and machine shop, and engaged in the manufacture of agricultural machinery, as well as doing a general jobbing and repairing business. At that time there was no iron foundry in Chicago, or west of there in Illinois or Iowa, and customers for repairs for threshing machines etc., came from Rockford, Freeport, Galena, and other places. This was before the advent of reapers, mowers, harvesters, power corn shellers, and other improved machinery which has added immensely to the facilities for the cultivation of the soil. At that time there was scarcely a settler's cabin to be seen on the broad expanse of our "broad prairies," except around the borders of the timber, or so near as to be easily accessible to it. It had scarcely entered into the minds of the settlers then that these great prairies would be made into cultivated farms, but it was supposed that they would remain ranges for their herds of cattle. The "west" had then no railroads, telegraphs, or other means of conveying information or transporting fuel, fencing and other articles necessary in making a home on the broad expanse of these plains, excepting the farmers' teams and on a few of the leading thoroughfares, the stage coach. On these thoroughfares, the arrival of a steamboat in Chicago, bringing passengers, was generally first announced long the route, by the appearance, with the daily coach, of one and sometimes two extras. He had as little expectation at that time of seeing a railroad to Elgin as now of a telephone to the moon.

In 1845 he purchased the fine farm lying between Elgin and the insane asylum, which he sold upon his removal to Sandwich.

Mr. Adams was always an inventor, he seldom theorized, but was on the alert for practical improvements which he could develop. This led him at an early day to foresee the needs of this vast grain growing section, and to devise more perfect modes of gathering and securing its immense harvests. In carrying out his ideas on this subject, he in 1850 made the first harvester on which grain was successfully bound by men while riding on the machine. In 1852, in company with Mr. Sylla, of Elgin, they made a further improvement on the harvester, making it a combined harvesting and mowing machine, and this went successfully into use as the Sylla & Adams machine. Although later improvements have added materially to the perfect working, and consequently the value of the harvester, yet the Sylla & Adams machine contained all the essential features, and covered by its patents all the principal parts of the harvesters now in use.

In 1855 Mr. Adams started business in Sandwich in a small way, with his sheller as a foundation, taking into business with his sons, then just merging into manhood, and under their management this has grown until it has become the extensive and successful business of today, under the name of Sandwich Manufacturing Company. At the same time an industry in which our people take great pride, and one from which they derive great profit. So much for the union of muscle and brains in life's industries.

In 1847 Mr. Adams was made a candidate for the constitutional convention and much to his surprise won, he being the first Whig who broke the strength of the Democratic party in his district by an election. In this convention with him was W. R. Archer of Pile, G. W. Armstrong, of LaSalle, Judge David Davis, John Dement, S. A. Hurlbut, Thomas Judd, John M. Palmer, W. B. Seates, and Judge Thornton. Here he became intimately acquainted with Abraham Lincoln, boarding near Lincoln's home. In 1850 Mr. Adams was again made a candidate, this time for the house--not knowing of his candidacy until he was informed of his nomination. So close was the vote that he was elected by only seven majority, while one of his party opponents was elected by a majority of five. In this body was Owen T. Lovejoy, while Judge Douglas was in the United States Senate. In 1854 Mr. Adams was put in nomination for the state senate and again elected, serving with John M. Palmer, Don Morrison and Judge Underwood, among others.

Mr. Adams has never sought office, all these elections coming to him unsolicited and against his protest, coming to him because his party friends being in the minority, were seeking for their ablest and most popular man. He was then one of the leading temperance men of Kane County, being a member of the first lodge organized in Elgin and has during all his life been entirely consistent to his profession.

Here lie Augustus Adams, pioneer and founder of the Sandwich Manufacturing Company; his wife, Lydia; their seven sons, Darius, Phelps, Henry, John Raymond, Oliver, Walter and their wives.

Monday afternoon under a sky of marvelous blue, with trees and bushes ablaze with color, along the paths of beautiful Oak Ridge there was borne the body of the eighth and youngest son, Charles Hawkins Adams. Charles Adams was brought back to his childhood home, for it was here, 74 years ago, that he was born. Mr. Adams was educated for a physician and for some time he practiced medicine in Aurora and Normal, IL. He gave up his professional life after a number of years to join his brothers in the manufacture of agricultural implements. About 15 years ago he retired, but his energetic nature was not satisfied with so many idle hours and he again went into business in Moline, where he had lived a number of years. In this work he was happily engaged at the time of his tragic death last Friday evening (September 27, 1929) when he was driving in Peoria. The car in which he was riding skidded on a narrow pavement and he was thrown violently against a telephone pole. He was seriously injured and lived only a few hours after he was taken to the hospital.

Mr. Adams was an enthusiastic, interesting man. His genial, unselfish, happy disposition won him many friends. He was devoted to his home and family. He enhanced any social occasion by his sense of humor and his friendliness. His affection for not only his immediate family, but for ll his relatives, was most unusual. He was a man not only respected, but beloved--a man who all along the way has left kindly words and deeds, and his passing is sincerely mourned.

For several years past Mr. Adams has not been in the best of health and it was his custom to go to warmer climates to pass the winter months. It was shortly after the first of the year that he and his wife left for Long Beach. While time had been making inroads upon his sturdy, robust being, few of his friends realized that the end was so near at hand. A telegram was received on Sunday stating that Mrs. Adams and Mrs. Houston would leave Long Beach on Wednesday for Sandwich with the body, expecting to arrive here on Saturday.

Honored and respected by all, there was no man who occupied a more enviable position as a representative of the business and social life of Sandwich than Henry A. Adams, one of the founders of the Sandwich Manufacturing Company, and for years its superintendent and a member of the board of directors and vice-president. His enterprise, his strong purpose, his progressive spirit and his consideration for his employees, and this consideration extended beyond those employed in his factory, all combined to make him a man whose record excites the admiration and won for him the regard of those with whom he had been brought in contact, either through business or social relations.

Mr. Adams was a native of Pine Valley, NY. He was born January 21, 1837, a son of Hon. and Mrs. Augustus Adams. Mr. Adams senior came to the new west in 1838 and located at Elgin, Mrs. Adams and children coming two years later, in 1840. His early education was limited to a short term in the local schools at Elgin, but was developed by self study, experience and travel throughout the length and breadth of our country and in Europe. His fund of general information was surpassed by but few men. He was a natural mechanic and secured a practical knowledge of that profession in the shop of his father. He was a thorough mechanic, familiar with the business in its practical workings as well as in the department requiring careful management of financial affairs and his thorough understanding of the trade has been one of the strong elements in his success.

He came with his father and brothers to Sandwich in 1856 when the firm of A. Adams & Sons was formed, consisting of Augustus Adams, J. P., H. A., Darius and W. G. Adams. This firm began as builders of self feed corn shellers, and added other machinery in the line as demands required. He remained with this firm until 1867 when the Sandwich Manufacturing Company was incorporated. He went with the new company as a stockholder and its superintendent, holding that position continuously until May 2, 1910 when feeling the weight of years of hard service and that some of the responsibility should be placed upon younger shoulders, he resigned, retaining his place as vice-president and member of the board of directors. He was as intensely interested in the success of the new company as he was in the old one, and gave it years of loyal and conscientious service. His interest in the welfare of his employees, not alone when at their daily toil, but in their homes, won for him the admiration and esteem of those who looked upon him as their superior. While at times seemingly abrupt and outspoken, there was in his breast a heart as tender as that of a child and it grieved him greatly when sorrow and misfortunes came to those about him. Many a man in the present works of the Sandwich Manufacturing Company will look back with pleasure to the times when he stretched forth a hand to assist someone over troubled places.

Mr. Adams was a Republican in politics and served the city several times as an alderman and member of the board of education, being on the board at the time our school houses were built. He was greatly interested in the anti-saloon league movement and an active foe of the liquor traffic. Community affairs awakened his deep interest and his aid has been a salient factor in progress and improvement along many lines here, while his business career has been of the utmost benefit to the city.

He was one of the oldest and most active members of the first Congregational Church, and for many years had served it as a member of the board of trustees and board of deacons.

On September 29,1859 he was married to Miss Augusta Carpenter of Sandwich. To them were born four children, Mrs. Mamie Houston, Mrs. E. E. Wallace, Charles H., and Mrs. E. C. Mosher.

Besides his wife, who has been his faithful companion and helpmate for nearly 58 years, and children, he leaves three brothers, H. H. of long Beach, CA, W. G., of Racine, WI, and C. H. of Moline, IL.

At the door of that home, made desolate by his going out never to return, we pause. Beside it we lay a wreath of laurel for this one who conquered by the power of his love, and to those who sit within, we offer the sympathy of the many who loved him.

The funeral services of Mr. Adams, who passed from this life last Thursday, were held at two o'clock from his late home on Third Street. Hundreds of relatives, friends and the employees of the Sandwich Manufacturing Company gathered to pay the last sad tribute. About two hundred of the company's employees were present, each carrying a carnation, and as they viewed the peaceful countenance for a last farewell, gently laid the flowers upon the casket as a token of the great love and esteem in which they held Mr. Adams. It was a very touching scene and will remain fresh in the memory of those present for years to come.

Dr. J. M. Lewis officiated and paid a beautiful and appropriate tribute to the deceased. Two beautiful solos entitled, "Come Unto Me," and "Crossing the Bar," were sung by A. E. DeReimer. Interment was made in the family burial place at Oak Ridge Cemetery. The active bearers were the eight nephews of Mr. Adams.

Loving friends did what they could to soften the sorrow at the cemetery. Beautiful flowers were laid on each mound in the family lot and the grave was lined with lilacs.

Those from abroad in attendance at the funeral were:

Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Adams and daughter, Florence, and son, Phelps, of Chicago; Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Adams of Jackson, MI; C. H Adams and daughter, H. R. Adams and daughter, Alonzo Adams, W. V. Adams, John Q. Adams, Mrs. Fred Kline and daughter, Mrs. Hattie Adams, Dr. and Mrs. Sterrett, of Marseilles, IL; Charles H. Adams, Oberlin, OH; Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Waite, Evanston, IL, relatives of the deceased.

The following close friends and acquaintances from out of town were present:

Mrs. Agnes Patten and Harry Patten of Evanston; W. H. Spear, Walter Kimbark, Mrs. Charles Hopper, of Chicago; Rufus Kleinsmid, Paw Paw; A. H. Tillson, Dixon; two representatives of the American Radiator Company, Chicago; William Syla and George Sherman, Elgin.

The factory representatives were: C. W. McDonald, Council Bluffs, IA; M. H. Losee, Kansas City, MO; E. Randall, Peoria, IL; W. T. Jones, Cedar Rapids, IA; E. R. McMeen, Mediapolis, IA.

J. Phelps Adams was born in Pine Valley, NY, September 18. 1835. Since his fifth year he was a resident of Illinois, moving to Elgin with his parents in 1840. He received all the educational advantages possible from the common schools at Elgin, supplemented by a full course at the then popular Bell's Business College in Chicago. By close reading and extensive travel, the meager beginning was broadened into a liberal education, and Mr. Adams has always kept abreast of the times in general and scientific thought and research. In 1860 he associated himself with his father and brothers in the manufacturing concern of A. Adams, & Sons at Sandwich, IL. In 1867 the business was incorporated as the Sandwich Manufacturing Company and Mr. Adams was made secretary and general manager, which position he held until his death, a period of thirty seven years. Under his management the business has been very prosperous and is recognized as one of the most important agricultural implement industries of the west.

Mr. Adams had unusual mental endowments, and was a man of sterling integrity. He was interested in and an active member of various manufacturing associations, both national and local, and his demise will be mourned by many business acquaintances.

In 1861 he was married to Mary Brainard Phelps, of Kirkland, NY, who, with a daughter, Florence B. and a son, Henry E Adams, survive him. Three children were waiting to welcome him above, Frederick and Louise, who died in infancy, and William Morse at the age of 13 years.

Mr. Adams also had in his home for some years, two nieces, Hattie and Luella Adams, children of his deceased brother, Darius, and has been as a father to them.

He was the second of the eight sons of Hon. Augustus Adams. Two have preceded him to the home beyond, Darius and Oliver R. Five are left to mourn, Henry A., John Q., H. Raymond, Walter G., and Charles H.

Mr. Adams has always been closely identified with religious, educational and political interests. He was a member of the Congregational Church, was its Sunday School Superintendent for fifteen consecutive years, also a Deacon for many years.

He had not been in the best of health for some months. February last he went to Magnolia Springs, where he remained for several weeks, coming home apparently much improved, but soon after reaching home took cold, and had a mild attack of la grippe from which he did not fully recover, and Sunday evening, May 8, while sitting in a chair at home reading, he was stricken with paralysis. All that the best medical skill could do was done for him, but he continued to grow worse until Thursday, May 12, 1904, when he passed peacefully away.

The many years of great responsibility and close attention to his official duties had begun to show their effect on Mr. Adams, but he continued to give his thought and energies to the business with which he was so long associated, and up to Saturday, May 7, he was at his desk as usual taking care of the matters demanding his attention, and it seemed impossible to relax from his many years of activity. No man in our community was more highly esteemed, and his death is a personal bereavement to many people outside the circle of his immediate family.

Mr. Adams virtues shone brightest perhaps in his home, surrounded by those he loved best, and whose every wish he desired to gratify. And it was in his home he loved to have his friends gather to enjoy his generous hospitality. In the larger family circle of brothers and sisters, he was one whose wise council and advice was sought for, and he always responded with a heart full of sympathy and helpfulness.

His charity for others was unbounded, and where many people saw things to criticize unfavorably, his broad and generous spirit found words of commendation. Truly in his heart was the law of kindness. Business men found in him a wise councilor. In fact, a generous and unselfish spirit characterized his every action. In his death we have lost a valued citizen, for every plan to promote the best interests of the town found him a ready helper.

The church has lost a strong supporter, a devoted officer and an exemplary member; the family a devoted husband and father and a loving brother.

Joeseph P. Allyn was buried in the Allyn family plot in Spring Grove Cemetery, Delavan, section zero, block 532, lot 8